Crowds of between 100 to 150 supporters heard speakers decry the plan — which officials say will put about 135 more officers on the street by starting a new, regional department without the current bargaining agreement with the police union — as “union busting” and possibly racially motivated.

“What we see is union busting and an attempt to destroy the most racially diverse police department in the state,” said Colandus “Kelly” Francis, Camden County chapter president of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) outside city hall, where others addressed the crowd. “This is an 80 percent minority police force, in a 95 percent minority city, and this is the only department in New Jersey that is getting disbanded.”

Speakers called the county plan a plot by politicians to control law enforcement in Camden, while others called for the question to be put to a ballot.

NAACP New Jersey President James Harris stated that while he has met with Camden Mayor Dana Redd, who has long supported the county police plan, his and the national office will continue to consider legislative and legal avenues.

“I have met with the mayor, and the meeting was informative and fruitful, but it did not change her mind,” said Harris.

“When people don’t want to talk, we take it to the next level — we will fight until we win this battle,” he added, while speaking before the crowd. “We will fight until they go back to the bargaining table, like everyone else in the country, and come to a compromise that the administration can accept, and the police union can accept.”

The protesters were joined by Camden Councilman Brian Coleman, the sole member of the city council to oppose the police plan, which he called “untested and unfounded.”

NAACP rally in Camden, Feb. 12, 2013Local, state and national leaders of the NAACP rally on the steps of Camden City Hall to protest the proposed Metro Police plan, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. (Staff Photo by Tim Hawk/South Jersey Times)

“Our people are dying in the streets and we’ve heard no answers but get rid of the police department — that’s unacceptable,” he said. “I’m tired of seeing Camden used as an experiment every time someone has an idea.”

“We represent and protect the community,” he said. “We are a community that pulls together in times of crisis.”

Shortly before the protest, which was first announced Monday night, Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, as well as Mayor Redd and Council President Frank Moran, released a joint statement defending the plan and accusing the protesters of “defending the status quo.”

“These unprecedented and extraordinary times, with respect to the epidemic of violence, has plagued our city for too long,” said Redd. “It is time to stop defending the status quo and work on the real issues affecting the residents of Camden.

“We are working to take back the streets of Camden from criminals and other violators of the law who harass our law-abiding residents.”

“The Camden Metro Police Division not only has the support of the local elected leadership, but also the support of the citizens who live in Camden 24/7,” said Cappelli. “We stood shoulder to shoulder with the Congress of Resident and Community Based Organizations last year and we invite the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP to stand with us to do what is best for Camden.”